A SOMERSET pensioner has been given a prestigious award for his work in the community.

A SOMERSET pensioner has been given a prestigious award for his work in the community.

Ray Ticknell, aged 79, from Stone Allerton, was presented with a certificate and clock from Somerset County Council for his work with Wedmore Young Farmers, the Church Contact Group, the Allerton History Society and Allerton Windmill Group.

The Mill Lane resident said: "I was on the young farmers' advisory committee for about 20 years. I had two sons who joined the group but I left a few years ago because they had grown up and I decided parents of present members should be given the chance to help out."

The former animal feed sales worker is also a member of the Church Contact Group, a committee set up to advise the village church which residents may like a vicar to counsel them, such as those who have suffered a bereavement.

Although retired, Ray certainly keeps himself busy and has helped out with the parish magazine and shows visitors around the Allerton Windmill on Sundays.

Helping the community has always been close to Ray's heart and he even spent 25 years volunteering with the special police.

Ray was one of seven adults and two young people who were nominated for the awards and was joint district winner with Colin and Jean Fitzpatrick from Cannington.

County council chairman Alan Gloak said: "The service these exceptional people provide to their community is invaluable. The awards are an opportunity for the rest of the community to say thank you to all the people who work so hard to support the area. Everyone involved should feel really proud of the fantastic job they are doing."

Ray has lived in Stone Allerton for 50 years and lived in Latcham near Wedmore before that.

He lives with his wife Marion, aged 70, and has two sons, Peter, aged 46 and 40-year-old Andrew.